Posted by Blogger Name. Category:
Boxing Day test
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Christchurch
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Hagley Oval
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New Zealand
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New Zealand Cricket
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Sri Lanka
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Test Cricket
New Zealand Cricket has released the pre-World Cup schedule for this summer. And there's good news for those who have been calling for a Boxing Day test, but it comes with a twist; check this out:
Christchurch’s Hagley Oval is poised to host New Zealand’s first Boxing Day Test in more than a decade, and the first ever in the South Island, in the ANZ International Series 2014-15.Starved of international cricket since the 2011 earthquake, Christchurch makes a return to New Zealand Cricket’s international programme this summer, with Hagley Oval being awarded both the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka and the opening One Day International against the same opponents.Hagley Oval will later host the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, also against Sri Lanka.Another highlight of the ANZ International Series 2014-15 is confirmation of Tauranga’s Bay Oval as the country’s newest international arena.NZC Head Of Cricket Lindsay Crocker said he was delighted to announce the return of international cricket to Canterbury, and to confirm Hagley Oval as the country’s eighth Test venue.“Bringing international cricket back to Christchurch was always a priority for NZC,” said Crocker. “And we feel the Boxing Day Test was a good way to celebrate what will be a very special landmark.”
Whilst it is unfortunate for Wellington, which has hosted previous Boxing Day tests, we reckon this is a terrific decision by NZC. Christchurch has not hosted a test match since December 2006, and there has been no international cricket at all in the city since the February 2011 earthquake damaged AMI Stadium beyond repair.
We're a little bit biased, of course. We will be in Christchurch for the Christmas holidays, and Hagley Park is just a short stroll for the abode of SWMBO's parents. We can't think of a better day to recover from the indulgences of Christmas than walking down to Hagley Oval and spending a day watching test cricket's return to the Garden City.
We're sure the good folk of Christchurch will turn out at Hagley Park in large numbers, especially on Boxing Day itself. We commend NZC on this decision, and are now looking forward to an action-packed summer of cricket culminating in the ICC World Cup in February/March.
